Bill Walton interview from 1975

Рет қаралды 33,194

2 ай бұрын

In October of 1975, CBS 8 Sports reporter Jerry Gross talked to Bill Walton before he joined the Trailblazers for his second year in Portland. More than a year removed from his UCLA days where legendary coach John Wooden required Walton to have short hair and be clean shaven, the long-haired, bearded Walton talks about the most disappointing thing the media reported about him during his first year in the NBA, his reported lack of desire as a player and his thoughts on Patty Hearst.

Пікірлер: 142

@jamesmoss3424 Ай бұрын

R.I.P. Bill Walton.

@chasedownblocks1736 Ай бұрын

One of the most authentic and genuine personalities to ever play and commentate the game of basketball

@user-sx7wo1yl7y Ай бұрын

Yes! The same could be said of Kareem. In fact, the parallels between Kareem and Bill are remarkable. Both highly intelligent- and not just compared to the average "jock." Both very good students, both history majors at the same outstanding academic (and sports) university. Both extremely shy and withdrawn. Both painfully aware of their physical awkwardness. Both at first wary of and rebellious toward the great John Wooden; both came to love and value and respect him like a father, despite their political and generational differences. Both obviously uncomfortable in the press limelight. Both liberal; both deeply involved in the civil rights movement, both opposed Vietnam, and both absolute terrors on the court- the epitome of basketball greatness. Let's honor and cherish Kareem while he is still with us, as we should have done to a far greater extent for Bill while he was alive. American originals, true heroes, the like of which we'll never see again...

@chikkipop Ай бұрын

@@user-sx7wo1yl7y Great comment!

@Chris-vs7jz Ай бұрын

⁹😊😊😊😊@@user-sx7wo1yl7y

@emceesmith6665 Ай бұрын

One of the greatest centers, Blazers, and Deadheads to ever walk the earth. Rest in peace Mr. Walton

@stevenh4797 Ай бұрын

Bill was just 22 here. Calm & gracious.

@RogerPeet Ай бұрын

I was 20 when We won the 1977 NBA Championship. Bill is a Hero to every Blazer fan, ever. I met him in Sept 1976. He looked like a 7ft logger. BillWalton4Ever

@TempeSoldier123 Ай бұрын

Wow. What do you remember most about the 70’s? What was Portland like in the 70’s?

@markpreston6930 Ай бұрын

@@TempeSoldier123 Lots of mayonnaise and jello.

@TempeSoldier123 Ай бұрын

@@markpreston6930 huh?

@beholden1663 Ай бұрын

@@TempeSoldier123I’m thinking it must have been very liberal and hippie. But I don’t know I’m just guessing

@TempeSoldier123 Ай бұрын

@@beholden1663 yeah, not sure what they mean.

@JerichoMile4 Ай бұрын

6'11 Bill Walton with such a calm demeanor !!! Lenny Wilkens was coach of Porland Trail Blazers (1974 - 1976)

@Jaycee604 Ай бұрын

🙏🏿RIP BIG MAN! YOU WERE A GREAT MAN AND A LEGEND!

@theofficialgreenkane9645 Ай бұрын

I’ll always remember him for 2 things- The in-game announcer for NBA Shootout 2003, and commentary during the Pistons-Pacers Brawl

@MA_808 Ай бұрын

gone far too soon....he was a beast on the court and a gentle giant off of it....sad to see him gone....

@waupfoo Ай бұрын

Legend! Besides his career as a player I really enjoyed his commentary during games. He kept you glued to the game and knew the players well. I bet he is really enjoying being back home👍👏🙏Thanks for all the memories!

@mark11967AD Ай бұрын

Sure not the same guy we would see later and for decades. More quiet and reserved and had a bit of a stammer/stutter he had to overcome. Bill certainly loved people and had tons of friends. And he entertained millions. Not sure what more you can ask for. RIP Sir.

@13madvillain Ай бұрын

He was definitely an advocate for stuttering (speech impediment) but he went with the punches and made the best of every opportunity. I met him on a plane from Burbank to Portland two years ago and we chatted quickly about stuttering which has impacted me all my life. Bill Walton's loss is immense for me. He was something else. RIP.

@robinsondevor7124 Ай бұрын

Love Bill. Calm, confident, humble. What a great person and inspiration to us all.

@silewis9396 Ай бұрын

Well said 🙂 a 1 of 1 I'm glad I was around the same time as.

@zackwolfe2532 Ай бұрын

Had the pleasure to meet Bill a few times. Such a nice guy, gave me a neck ache to talk to him and I’m 6’ 2! Talked basketball, Cavs, and the dead! Grate guy and he will be gratefully missed

@Dillingham- Ай бұрын

Wonderful to watch this and know he eventually found his voice. Travel well, Bill Walton.

@rnewman3 Ай бұрын

I wished they asked Politicians questions like this in 2024. RIP To the Legend Bill Walton!

@mysteriowc Ай бұрын

If this guy never had injuries he would have been even more dominant than he was in her prime.

@donlitt Ай бұрын

Rip to a legend. I’ve seen a bunch of old bill Walton vids ever since he passed. Sidenote, I swear microphones were built better 50 years ago, the audio quality here is crazy

@teamcamel1755 Ай бұрын

One of the best interviews 😊

@jackj5368 Ай бұрын

This interview? You think this was one of the best interviews? Seriously? Leads me to wonder how many interviews you've had the pleasure of listening to.

@jackj5368 Ай бұрын

If you're interested in Bill Walton content and you want to watch irrefutably the "best" Walton interview, search KZfaq for the video titled: "BILL WALTON - SPORTS CENTURY". You're welcome.

@thefirstdude Ай бұрын

I was thinking this has to be one of the worst interviews. The only thing the interviewer was looking for was dirt. No insights into Bill’s game or plans.

@erichvonmolder9310 Ай бұрын

I remember when people would be upset about your haircut or the clothes you wear, that isn't the case anymore, which is a very good thing.

@jaysonb.6669 Ай бұрын

now people dress like slobs in public & look like circus freaks, real progress lol

@72stones43 Ай бұрын

In 75, 76 and 77 I smoked pot at the start of every game, we averaged 76 points a game, won our sectional 101 to 97 in regulation, didn’t waste time scoring.

@sarahcobetto5613 Ай бұрын

The best passing bigman in the game,before, Jokic.

@user-cs3hi8zp7p Ай бұрын

Arvydas Sabonis topped them all in the passing dept! Look up his highlights💪😎👍

@impassable Ай бұрын

Similar games but Bill didn't have the three point line his whole career so he didn't shoot outside as much as Nikola, but both great players

@shashishekhar---- Ай бұрын

@@user-cs3hi8zp7pnah

@3ofus135 28 күн бұрын

So calm, shy, and likeable.

@billrose2202 Ай бұрын

Bill was the Big Chill

@hardIIfind Ай бұрын

Bill Walton: A presentation of peace. May the almighty keep you safe on your travels to the next destination good man

@longlivejuliofoolio Ай бұрын

Wow bill looked so cool with his hair back then u are truly missed sir such a legend rip😢

@davidharden7575 Ай бұрын

Wow, what a brilliant man.

@johnjaco5544 Ай бұрын

What a great guy,your missed.

@albertol9654 Ай бұрын

Imagine being a young man in America, in the 70s.. Must of been crazy good 🤘

@austinchaney1103 Ай бұрын

I was born in 97 my gpa 47. My gpa passed away last year on 2023. Anyway my grandpa would always tell me how good Bill Walton was back in the day. I remember Bills son was on the Lakers with Kobe when I really started getting into basketball

@put04life14 Ай бұрын

He was so shy back then 😊

@brianwood7237 Ай бұрын

I was 5 in 75 This guy was my first sports hero But then again, I was born n raised in Marin County

@TayDays1128 Ай бұрын

I know Walton's hairdo was giving John Wooden a heart attack

@PInk77W1 Ай бұрын

Wooden told him to get it cut. Walton started to argue Wooden “We’re gonna miss u Bill.” Walton jumps on his bike and rode to the closest barber

@marcellbrickey348 Ай бұрын

This is GREAT. "I don't think I would submit myself to interviews like this if I didn't want to play basketball." The interviewer was pretty forward but that is what good journalists have to be, especially in the tight windows they have. Bill was gracious.

@kikovazquez7277 Ай бұрын

Bill Walton has been my favorite sports personality by a light year. I had the privilege of living a two minute walk from his house in Portland when I was also new to Oregon. Bill shared the house he lived in with radical jock activist Jack Scott and his wife Micki who were referenced in the interview - so Bill is being uncharacteristically coy in responding to those questions. Most don't remember or are too young to know that Jack notoriously drove Patty Hearst across the USA when the FBI and other agencies were turning California upside down looking for her after the bank robbery that she participated in with the Symbionese Liberation Army - but she was in Jack's car racing across America from the Redwood forests to the Gulf Stream Waters (actually Hearst ended up in the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York). I never saw Scott around the neighborhood as I did Bill, but met him at a couple of events where he was doing presentations and taking questions. Bill Walton had a front row seat to the madness of those times.

@cbs8sandiego Ай бұрын

Clippers picture day 1979: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/lb9kfstes7yRpZ8.html

@stephenburpo7755 Ай бұрын

If he ate meat, he probably would have spent less time on the injured list.

@redpooljack777 15 күн бұрын

Most likely.

@tracyelsinger1088 Ай бұрын

You can't convince me that that's not the Geico caveman

@INeedABlessingNow Ай бұрын

Thanks for this retro interview CBS 8 San Diego. I never before had seen this version of him. This was really interesting for me to see such a mild-mannered young Walton compared to the more exuberant older announcer that I remember.

@TomM-wc3eo Ай бұрын

I knew Bill Walton as ‘Grateful Red’, a devoted Deadhead. Seems he was a well know basketball player too.

@cbs8sandiego Ай бұрын

Bill Walton and sons play basketball at home 1994: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ideAhZmdsMWZZps.html

@memory-nownow-anticipation7087 Ай бұрын

RIP. Where can i watch the entirety of this excellent interview ?

@justinstevens7000 Ай бұрын

Legend

@al.n.darodda6183 Ай бұрын

The reporter is Jerry Gross

@kevinshell8392 Ай бұрын

Big Red 🙏🏿

@P_Sandhu Ай бұрын

Bill was the original teen wolf

@cbs8sandiego Ай бұрын

San Diego Clippers become Los Angeles Clippers 1984: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/r7SWgc96t7W4lYE.html

@triple6wolfi Ай бұрын

I think you got a good team there as well Mr. Walton

@rizmacadillac Ай бұрын

Mostly, I simply watched Bill Walton play ball. He had a great Coach in John Wooden and a great team in UCLA. I was surprised to hear him claim to be vegetarian but I can't honor the man this way. Thanks for the memories and for always attempting to live life to the fullest. Basketball has always been an interest of mine and I appreciate your contribution to the game.

@edwardwhakatihi1226 Ай бұрын

RIP Chill Bill

@JJONNYREPP Ай бұрын

0952am 28.5.24 i think you showed this before,....

@cbs8sandiego Ай бұрын

Bill signs with Clippers: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/rqeBZtyizaqmcZs.html

@shashishekhar---- Ай бұрын

Rip Big Bill Walton

@brianarbenz1329 Ай бұрын

RIP, Bill, the friend I never met. You were great. And as someone who became a vegetarian 25 years ago and will remain one for life, I identify with your love of that lifestyle. Same for your high post passing wizardry, great defense and blocking out, and those great outlet passes. That's the best of center play.

@benjaminbritt7862 Ай бұрын

Man I bet he was thrilled to finally be able to play and do well just to shut up all the dumb probing questions about Patty Hearst

@thecantankerouscollector Ай бұрын

I imagine he saw JAWS a few months before this interview. One of the Trail Blazers best players ever. RIP Bill Walton

@cbs8sandiego Ай бұрын

San Diego Clippers Ticket Sales after Bill Walton signs: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mc5_p7pzvrXWpXU.html

@ReneRenteria-ke6vg Ай бұрын

🙏🏀🏆💯R.I.P 💯💯💯💯🙏

@chuckw1021 Ай бұрын

When the Clippers got him they had an airplane written in the sky "WALTONS BACK" . I could see it from La Mesa

@TempeSoldier123 Ай бұрын

Wow. What was San Diego like in the 1970’s? During that time, did you realize how iconic the times were or were you just living life day to day?

@countd5955 Ай бұрын

Love Bill Walton.

@stephenmorton8017 Ай бұрын

A bunch of dumbass question from some square peg in 1975.

@adamsmith583 Ай бұрын

😢

@charlesbromberick4247 Ай бұрын

spaced out hippie hero of mine

@mikehunt6218 Ай бұрын

Rest in peace big guy ⚡💀🎸☠️⚡

@jerrymcfarland56 Ай бұрын

What a great guy...even the press back then we're looking for negative...

@fishmonger6879 Ай бұрын

Some think if Bill would have eaten grass fed beef and Copper river Chinook Salmon he would not have suffered from those injuries.

@bryanburnap4537 Ай бұрын

Bill being asked about Patty Hearst :) classic

@DabsDad Ай бұрын

Big Red! RIP - Sleep in the Stars

@donlitt Ай бұрын

Rocking that neck beard!

@bradlafferty6076 Ай бұрын

Bill the hippie

@peterdvideos Ай бұрын

What’s your thinking about Patti Hearst??????

@nevadadesertrat267 Ай бұрын

He was Vegetarian. That explains the injury's. NDR

@mortenpotzdidler2790 Ай бұрын

Supposedly, he got in huge fights with Jack Ramsay about his diet. I tend to think that Jack was right.

@fourthofseven Ай бұрын

Get real. His bone problems were congenital & had zero to do being a vegetarian.

@nevadadesertrat267 Ай бұрын

@@fourthofseven Make any claim you want. Processed foods are not healthy for you. And vegetarians tend to eat processed protein among other processed crap. I am living proof you can over come a congenital health issue by eliminating processed foods. And making a diet more Alkaline. NDR

@redpooljack777 15 күн бұрын

@@fourthofsevenThe effects of which were likely exacerbated by his poor dietary choice of nutritionally starving himself; especially for the dietary requirements of a body as large as his.

@lightmaker2144 Ай бұрын

He was so high lol GOAT Status

@CocaColaBottles-hs6bx Ай бұрын

Great player. UCLA seasons probably best ever college player

@lindseywalker6925 Ай бұрын

Thank you Boston Celtics for giving Big Red his last hurrah!!!

@lindseywalker6925 Ай бұрын

Rumor has it Bill actually asked John Wooden if he could smoke pot before playing.

@BushiBato Ай бұрын

i hope it is true in this case

@robertmasina7388 Ай бұрын

It seems like he was a free spirit.

@catcountry0099 Ай бұрын

He was a hippie

@silewis9396 Ай бұрын

The ultimate free spirit

@chrisboston Ай бұрын

How much weed did he smoke that summer? 😂 😆

@timcollins3794 Ай бұрын

Sarah, jokic and bill good passers but it is obvious you never seen larry bird play.

@trevorphilipsindustries3142 Ай бұрын

Rip but he looks just like the Geico caveman here

@MA_808 Ай бұрын

he was a beast...no doubt

@drewali7 Ай бұрын

know he was a strange lookin'

@thunderking8925 Ай бұрын

Portland should draft this guy.

@EEman-mx8mg Ай бұрын

Dang, good bye Bill

@jamesstewart8377 Ай бұрын

The real Teen Wolf.

@afridgetoofar1818 Ай бұрын

2:39. Stuttering problem

@r3tr0actiongamer24 Ай бұрын

It's a shame he missed entire seasons and plenty of games due to injuries.

@reidjohnson3976 Ай бұрын

longer hair-beard-the oregonian

@lunastargoddess1632 Ай бұрын

Interesting he died from Colon Cancer and not eating meat?

@bigc2626 Ай бұрын

Arguably one of the biggest stars in basketball at the time and look how he handles himself. So polite and professional. The stars of today, with the profanity when talking to the media, they should be embarrassed.

@pistolpete8231 Ай бұрын

Biggest star? WHAT???

@Zeus2024-pn2ht Ай бұрын

Crazy to see interviewers never got any better over the years. Still asking stupid questions.

@jarrodmcdermott9109 Ай бұрын

Teen wolf

@user-ry7ze3ny9k Ай бұрын

😎😁🤣😎👍👏💪🙏

@TheLastWalenta Ай бұрын

Where is Karl Malone?? RIP Bill.

@catcountry0099 Ай бұрын

What's this gotta do with Karl?

@TheLastWalenta Ай бұрын

@@catcountry0099 I guess if you don’t know, you don’t know.

@lindseywalker6925 Ай бұрын

It was said back then that his refusal to eat meat (protein) is the reason for his constant, continual feet injuries.

@johnrichardson7280 Ай бұрын

And it is no truer now than it was then.

@TheEsquireOfSports Ай бұрын

Congenital and structural bone issues, meat wouldn't have helped (even though that statement is generally true outside of congenital defects).

@josephwirtel8765 Ай бұрын

Laid back dude

@TB-sg5bk Ай бұрын

Goes to show your health, eating habits and morals have nothing to do with your life span

@770WT Ай бұрын

Walton may have passed earlier if he had a unhealthy diet .

@TB-sg5bk 22 күн бұрын

@@770WT nah you’re a fool.

@DORAEMON-bw8jk Ай бұрын

GEICO caveman.

@wgsuperstar7730 Ай бұрын

Now we know why he had an incredibly injury plagued career. Soy boy diet

@markpreston6930 Ай бұрын

That reporter is a rigid '70s kook. People think that was a great time. It sucked.

@michaelgpartridge2384 Ай бұрын

Hard to forget how dreary and smelly those times were if you lived through them…

@drewali7 Ай бұрын

he was one strange lookin' ......................